CALDWELL'S WWE RAW TAPING REPORT

CALDWELL'S WWE RAW TAPING REPORT
February 4, 2008
Austin, Texas

RAW TAPING FOR FEB. 11 RAW

Hornswoggle vs. Vince is starting things off.

(1) Hornswoggle beat Vince in a No DQ match. Hornswoggle slapped Vince after Vince let hin take the first shot. Finlay then ran down and Vince cut a promo on him about throwing away his career for Hornswoggle. Finlay feigned leaving, but came back and cracked Vince in the head with the shillelagh. Horny then hit the tadpole splash on Vince for the win. Vince was quite upset afterward.

They aired the for-the-live-audience Ric Flair video tribute.

(2) Chris Jericho beat JBL clean in 12:00. JBL went for the clothesline from hell, but Jericho ducked and hit the codebreaker for the win. Good match, but slow at times. (**3/4)

After he match, Umaga hit the ring and KO'ed Jericho then JBL with the Samoan Spike.

For the fourth time tonight, they tried a Mike Adamle promo, but for the fourth time, no one could hear him live.

They went backstage where William Regal had drafted papers for Finlay to be fired. Vince was still favoring his face. He doesn't want to fire Finlay, though. No, he's locking himself in a steel cage with Hornswoggle on the 18th.

(3)Paul Burchill w/Katie Lea beat Brian Kendrick in 3:00. The debut of the incest angle began with Katie cutting a prmo about getting her jollies watching her brother, Paul, beat up people. Katie looks just like Lita. Some fans still remembered and chanted, "You're a pirate." Paul with an easy win of a Curb Stomp and turnout slam. No heat.

Randy Orton came out for commentary on Cena vs. Henry.

(4) John Cena beat Mark Henry by submission in 4:00. Cena avoided a corner splash, hit a leaping shoulder block, then slapped on the STFU for the win.

After the match, Cena walked over to Orton and cut a promo. Orton never made eye contact. Cena said he has overcome all the obstacles and there will be no way out for Orton at the PPV.

- After a break, Mr. Kennedy cae out in dress clothes to cut a promo. He called out Ric Flair to answer his forfeit or no forfeit. Flair came out in street clothes and got right in Kennedy's face. Flair then cut a Ric Flair promo. Straight money promo. After he was verbally shown up, Kennedy backed away slowly, but landed a quick dropkick to the injured left knee. He smirked at Flair, then left. Flair slowly got up to his feet and stared back at Kennedy.

(5) Melina w/Jillian Hall beat Maria w/Santino in 3:00. In the middle of the match, Jillian planted a kiss on Santino that got Maria distracted. Melina then rolled up Maria from behind for the win.

Afterward, Santino apologized but said it's the Playboy curse. Candice - injured. Torrie - injured. Ashley - well, she's just ugly with those lip rings. Santino gave her one week to make the call of him or Playboy.

(6) Jeff Hardy beat Shawn Michaels clean in 17:00. Really good match. There were some down moments with Hardy gassed and the crowd worn out from four hours of wrestling, but the action and story was strong. Michaels dominated most of the match and went for some submissions for close calls. Hardy blocked sweet chin music, then hit the Twist of Fate and Swanton Bomb for the win. Hardy got another strong reaction to close the show before the PPV. Michaels grimaced in pain from inside the ring to close the show. (***1/2)

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